How to Find Domain and Range of Trigonometric Functions?

We can determine the domain and range of trigonometric functions easily. Learn how to find the domain and range of trigonometric functions by the following step-by-step guide.

How to Find Domain and Range of Trigonometric Functions?
Tutor-style math help

Find Domain and Range of Trigonometric Functions: what to notice and how to work it

Trigonometry skill
Trigonometry connects an angle to a triangle ratio, a unit-circle coordinate, or a repeating graph. Choosing the right picture makes the problem much easier.

What to notice first

Domain is the set of allowed inputs; range is the set of possible outputs. Read them from left-to-right and bottom-to-top on a graph.

Common student mistake

Do not mix degrees and radians. The angle unit must match the formula, graph scale, or calculator setting.

Key formulas and cues

\(\text{domain}=\text{allowed }x\text{-values}\)
\(\text{range}=\text{possible }y\text{-values}\)
\(\sqrt{x-a}\Rightarrow x\ge a\)
\(\frac{1}{x-a}\Rightarrow x\ne a\)
(cos theta, sin theta)

A reliable path

  1. Choose the modelUse a right triangle, the unit circle, or a transformed graph.
  2. Track unitsConvert degrees and radians when needed.
  3. Use identitiesReplace complicated trig expressions with equivalent simpler ones.

Worked examples

Right-triangle sine

Example: opposite = 5, hypotenuse = 13
  1. Sine is opposite over hypotenuse.
  2. Substitute 5 and 13.
  3. Leave the ratio simplified.
Answer: \(\sin\theta=\frac5{13}\)

Unit-circle cosine

Example: \(\cos(0)\)
  1. At angle 0, the point is (1, 0).
  2. Cosine is the x-coordinate.
  3. Read the x-value.
Answer: \(1\)
Try one before moving on
Try: In a right triangle, tangent equals which ratio?
Answer: Opposite over adjacent.
Next step: do the matching worksheet or quiz while the method is still fresh, then come back and explain the first step in your own words.

The domain and range of trigonometric functions can be found by examining where the function is defined and the function’s output values for each input value.

Related Topics

A step-by-step guide to the domain and range of trigonometric functions

The domain and range of trigonometric functions are the input values and the output values of trigonometric functions, respectively. The domain of trigonometric functions shows the values of the angles in which the trigonometric functions are defined. The range of trigonometric functions shows the value of the result of the trigonometric function corresponding to a specific angle in the domain.

 Sine function:

We know that the sine function is the ratio of the perpendicular and hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle. The domain and range of trigonometric function sine are obtained as follows:

  • Domain \(=\) \(\color{blue}{All\:real\:numbers,\:i.e.,\:(−∞,\:∞)}\)
  • Range \(=\color{blue}{ [-1, 1]}\)

Cosine function:

The cosine function is the ratio of the adjacent side and the hypotenuse of a right triangle. The domain and range of trigonometric function cosine are obtained as follows:

  • Domain \(=\) \(\color{blue}{All\:real\:numbers,\:i.e.,\:(−∞,\:∞)}\)
  • Range \(=\color{blue}{ [-1, 1]}\)

Tangent function:

The tangent function can be written as the ratio of the sine and cosine functions, so the domain of \(tan x\) does not contain values where \(cos x\) is zero. We know that \(cos x\) is \(0\) in odd integral multiples of \(\frac{π}{2}\), so the domain and range of trigonometric function tangent are obtained as follows:

  • Domain \(=\) \(\color{blue}{R – (2n + 1)\frac{π}{2}}\)
  • Range \(=\) \(\color{blue}{(−∞, ∞)}\)
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Cotangent function:

The cotangent function can be written as the ratio of the cosine and the sine function, and \(cot x\) is the reciprocal of \(tan x\). Therefore, the range of \(cot x\) does not contain values where \(sin x\) is equal to zero. We know that \(sin x\) in integral multiples of \(π\) is \(0\), so the domain and range of trigonometric function cotangent are given by:

  • Domain \(=\)\(\color{blue}{R – nπ}\)
  • Range \(=\) \(\color{blue}{(−∞, ∞)}\)

Secant function:

It can also be written as the reciprocal of the cosine function. Therefore, the domain of sec x does not contain values where \(cos x\) is equal to zero. \(cos x\) is \(0\) in odd integral multiples of \(π\), so the domain and range of trigonometric function secant are obtained as follows:

  • Domain \(=\) \(\color{blue}{R – (2n + 1)\frac{π}{2}}\)
  • Range \(=\) \(\color{blue}{(-∞, -1] \cup [+1, +∞)}\)

Cosecant function:

The cosecant function can also be written as the reciprocal of the sine function. Therefore the domain of trigonometric function \(cosec x\) does not contain values where \(sin x\) is equal to zero. We know that \(sin x\) is \(0\) at integral multiples of \(π\), hence the domain and range of trigonometric function cosecant are given by:

  • Domain \(=\) \(\color{blue}{R – nπ}\)
  • Range \(=\) \(\color{blue}{(-∞,\:-1]\:\cup \:[+1,\:+∞)}\)

Domain and Range of Trigonometric Functions – Example 1:

Find the domain and range of \(y= cos(x)\: – 3\)

Solution:

  • Domain: \(\:\left(-\infty \:,\:\infty \:\right)\)
  • Range: \(-1\le \:cos\:x\le \:1\:⇒-1\:-\:3\le \:cos\:x-3\le \:1-3\:⇒\:-4\le \:y\le -2\:\)

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